Next North Carolina governor says he can carry out agenda

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina's incoming Democratic governor says he's optimistic he'll be able to repeal the state's law limiting the state's LGBT protections, vowing to use an array of strategies to pull back on the conservative agenda of a Republican-dominated legislature.

Roy Cooper told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday — two days after Republican Gov. Pat McCrory conceded — that he wants to assemble issue-specific coalitions on issues like education, criminal justice reform and ending House Bill 2. That law directs transgender people to use restrooms in schools and government buildings corresponding to the sex on their birth certificate.

Republicans command veto-proof majorities in the House and Senate, so Cooper will be hard-pressed to block Republican legislation. Just a few legislative Republicans now say they want House Bill 2 repealed.